Business Logistics 420 Public Transportation Lectures 8: The Performance and Condition of Transit in the United States

Lecture Objectives Overview of the structure of the transit industry in the U.S., i.e., the number of firms by mode, size of firms, ownership Characteristics of transit riders Revenue and cost characteristics of the industry

The U.S. Transit Industry Nearly 6,000 transit agencies in the U.S., but 30 largest account for 95 percent of all transit ridership New York City alone accounts for about 35 percent of all transit trips Mostly bus and demand response systems

Number of Systems by Mode 2,262 Bus systems 5,254 Demand Response Systems (small bus and van) 14 Heavy Rail (subway, elevated) 23 Light Rail 5 Trolley Bus 1 Cable Car

Transit Ridership by Mode 8.7 billion unlinked trips –61.6% by bus –27.4% by heavy rail –11.0% by other modes 58.7% of bus trips in areas > 2 million population

U.S. Transit Industry Revenue

U.S. Transit Industry Expenses

Characteristics of Transit Riders Gender - 52% Women Age –10% under 18 –7% over 65 Race –31% African American –18% Hispanic Income –27% below $15k –55% between $15k and $50k –17% over $50k

Transit Trip Purposes

The Competition -- The CAR 94 percent of all households have at least one vehicle 89 percent of persons 16+ years old have driver’s license Average person makes 3.88 trips per day

Auto Ownership Rates (1995)

Travel Trends Commute Mode Choice –Private auto travel increased 141% –Private vehicle mode share increased from 67 percent to 87 percent over the same time period –The share of work travel for driving alone increased from 64.4 percent in 1980 to 73.2 percent in 1990.

Travel Trends Commute Mode Choice –From 1960 to 1990, the number of workers using public transportation as their main means of transportation to work declined 22 percent –The resulting mode share for the work trip declined from 12.6 percent in 1960 to 5.3 percent in –From 1960 to 1980, the number of workers working at home declined 53 percent; however, the number increased 56 percent increase in the 1980's.

Travel Trends The proportion of workers driving alone increased from 64.4 per- cent to 73.2 percent. The number of workers in each carpool category declined from 1980 to 1990, –9 percent decline for 2-person carpools –40 percent decline for 3-person carpools –46 percent decline for 4 or more person carpools

Growth Patterns of Urban Areas Total population in most urbanized areas has increased over past 30 years but –very large increases in Sun Belt –very little growth or absolute decline in NE cities Suburban areas account for most growth Central cities declining in population in most areas with extensive transit

Transit and the Current Urban Landscape Most high quality (rail) transit located in NE and Midwestern cities that are experiencing decline or slow growth Rail systems designed for suburb to central city trips or local trips within central city Most growth now outside areas served by high quality transit

Transit and the Current Urban Landscape Travel demand patterns scattered and low density of demand so that high capacity transit is ineffective Most households have access to vehicle, but for the 6-10 percent that do not, the facilities of the modern city may be inaccessible

The Markets for Transit in the Edge City Environment Work trips from the suburbs to the central city for choice riders General mobility for all residents within older urban areas with high quality (rail) transit General mobility for transportation disadvantaged in all communities

Strategies for Transit Systems to Develop Markets Offer high quality, grade-separated transit service wherever possible Provide general mobility with bus service that includes flex route and demand response options Target niche markets (some examples) –Activity centers (university campus) –Special events (football games) –Subscription services for suburban employees

Study Questions Discuss the major trends in urban travel patterns (trip purpose, mode choice, occupancy, trip characteristics) that will influence the role of public transportation in the coming years. What is the profile of the “typical” transit rider? What are the key markets for transit in the 21st century?